Standard batteries key to electric cars

Many of us would welcome electric cars which closely match the practicality of those propelled by petrol engines (A new Leaf, 26 March). But the greatest impediment is the lack of international standards on the battery system. The limited milage currently available, coupled with the lengthy recharging time, means some initiative is required to overcome these shortcomings.

It is straightforward to drive in to a service station and refill the fuel tank, regardless of tank capacity or fuel consumption. If you were able to pull into a service station and replace the battery pack, then electric cars would be viewed differently. Imagine a service station of the future: you are running low on charge, but your sat nav will guide you to the nearest service station. Your battery pack is swapped for a fully charged one; you are billed for the charge – as the pack is effectively a service replacement – less any remaining charge in the old pack; you continue on your way. It could be as easy as that, if you had a standardised system. It could also be very cheap, the service station re-charges the batteries and bills you for the cost plus.

There are enormous benefits to standardising battery packs: engineers know where to locate them; the interconnections are defined; the unit cost will drop dramatically as the volume increases; technological progress is not tied to the vehicle, it just gives you more performance; automatic removal, replacement and charging systems can be developed. You wouldn't necessarily have to buy the battery – currently a major cost factor in such vehicles. So if this government is serious about reducing CO2, it should propose an international battery format.